See the Setup page for instructions on setting the default conversion engine.

Uim follows accepted standards in keyboard command settings so if you have previously used and input method, uim should have a similar feel. To turn it on, just hit <shift><space> and, assuming that you've set up a default one, you can start typing in your favorite language.

The default keyboard commands can be also configured to fit your preferences.

TODO: Quick comparison with other IMs on various platforms. Do the default settings emulate other IMs that users may have used in the past? It would be cool to put up a few ~/.uim files that would emulate other IMs (and perhaps offer a few that power-uses find handy). -- actually, that should rather go on the Uim/Configuration page when that is ready.

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When you turn the default input method on, you start writing into the pre-edit. Some conversion engines will commit the text as you type (e.g. Hangul) while others will display it untill you begin interactive conversion which is needed for languages such as Chinese and Japanese which have many homophones (different words that sound the same).

Interactive conversion is started by hitting the space bar. The conversion engine will break the preedit up into segments and display candidates for each one. You can choose between the candidates by running through the list using the <up> or <down> keys, or by entering the number displayed next to the candidate. The <left> and <right> keys allow you to go between segments.

Once you have chosen among the candidates for each segment, you can commit the preedit by hitting the <return> key (<Enter>).

Note: All the keyboard commands mentioned here may of course be configured to your liking.

Please refer to the toolbar setup section for information on how to set up your toolbar.

The toolbar may display a number of buttons. These show the state of the input method and which modes the conversion engine supports. When uim is off, this will only be the uim logo.

When uim has been started, the button furthest to the left will be the conversion engine selector and it will display the presently active conversion engine. Press it get a list of available conversion engines.

Note: Installing the conversion engines isn't enough to make them available. You will have to choose the available ones in the preference tool.

Note also that this is a feature, not a bug, which allows a system to have a large number of conversion engines installed for users with different needs, without unnecessary cluttering of your interface.

Each conversion engine can run in various modes that can be changed on the fly. Below you will find an overview of these. Please see the conversion engine pages for documentation.

Simple conversion rules require only an on/off switch. Conversion engines serving more complex character sets and languages will probably offer further settings. Through these a user may, for example, choose the character set used for input, or a different keyboard layout.

The conversion modes are displayed and easily controlled through the toolbar.